Transitional Shelter Training

As a part of Earthquake Response and Recovery Action, Clean Energy Nepal (CEN) with its supporting partner Christian Aid organized two days Transitional shelter training from 12th to 13th June for 78 local people including masons of Thulopakhar V.D.C of Sindhupalchowk district with the aim of promoting and ensuring safe, healthy and earthquake resistant shelters,. 

The Mega Earthquake of 25th April followed by numerous aftershocks killed and injured thousands of people and caused huge devastation. Tens of thousands of houses were brought down by the huge shivering of the ground and people were forced to live under the open sky out of fear for several days. In this heartrending situation, Clean Energy Nepal with its partner was involved in the immediate relief distribution to the earthquake affected families of 8 VDCs in Sindhupalchowk. But still after a month of the first devastating earthquake, Shelter remained a primary need for the people of affected districts besides food, safe drinking water and sanitation. Therefore, after the completion of 1st phase of immediate relief distribution, Clean Energy Nepal with Christian Aid got involved into early recovery with support in transitional shelter, WASH and livelihood in the second phase at Thulopakhar VDC in coordination with DDRC and CDO. 

The Transitional Shelter training was basically focused on conveying the ABCDE principle, which is the prime and most essential principle for building safe and strong infrastructure. The making of any safe and strong shelter requires equal attention in Anchorage, Bracing, Continuity, Ductility and Enhancement of the building, which makes ABCDE principle of building strong building. Therefore, these components were one by one demonstrated and practiced by the participants in a “model” shelter. “This training will coordinately make people know and prioritize the use of their local resources as well as involve themselves in building their own safe shelters”, says the Architect and trainer, Dibya Acharya. 

The two days training was successful in training 78 people including masons to build Earthquake resistant shelters. One of the locals of Thulopakhar V.D.C, Phurba Tamang said, “We learned very important aspects of Safe Shelters, from strong foundation to the roofing of the building and usage of the right materials. We are ready to build our Earthquake Resistant temporary shelters utilizing the techniques and knowledge gained from this training.” 

After the completion of training, CGI sheets, tools and fixtures for the construction of the Transitional shelters is being provided to 960 families of Thulopakhar V.D.C. The first consignment of CGI sheet for 141 families has already been distributed in coordination with VDC and Ward representatives and the detail livelihood and WASH assessment is being carried out to support the livelihood of local people of Thulopakhar VDC in a long term.